In Good Company and Derby Theatre are thrilled to announce that Nur Khairiyah will soon join the team as interim freelance Creative Producer for IGC.
In Good Company is the flagship professional creative and business development programme for theatre makers and companies in the Midlands, providing mentorship, business support, resources and high-profile performance opportunities. In Good Company has transformed how artists and venues communicate and co-create exciting new performance platforms, commissions and touring networks.
IGC partners include: Derby Theatre (lead partner); Attenborough Arts Centre, Burton Brewhouse, Lincolnshire One Venues, Mansfield Old Library, Arena Theatre in Wolverhampton, Nonsuch in Nottingham, Curve in Leicester, Nottingham Playhouse and New Diorama in London.
Nur Khairiyah, also known as Khai, is Malay-Muslim, an independent producer from Singapore who is currently based in London. She graduated from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama with an MA (Distinction) in Creative Producing.
During the pandemic, Khai founded RUMAH, which means ‘home’ in the Malay language. The platform aims to bring the many Asian diaspora communities together, Big Up one another and reflect the true representation of Asian artists in Britain today. RUMAH’s programmes are currently funded by Arts Council England and Paul Hamlyn Foundation.
When she is not holding space for Asian diaspora communities, Khai makes big ideas happen on shoestring budgets. Her producing works are mainly in theatre, but they sometimes spill/ cross over into live art, dance, music and even circus. In her 9 years of producing, both in Singapore and London, she has produced works that are urgent, contemporary and committed to uplifting underrepresented voices. Some of her works has toured internationally to Japan and Australia.
Before she became an independent producer, Khai was previously an Assistant Production Co-ordinator for the M1Singapore Fringe Festival with The Necessary Stage, and then went on to become a Programmes Manager for Performing Arts at The Substation. Her role at The Substation gave her an opportunity to work with multidisciplinary artists and has allowed her to commission, lead incubation programmes and provide a platform for emerging artists to experiment and take risks.
In 2019, Khai received the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Emerging Producers Bursary. Her recent producing works include two shows that were presented at the Vault Festival in 2020; Patricia Gets Ready (for a date with the man that used to hit her) by Martha Watson Allpress and Drop Dead Gorgeous by SameSame collective, Lighthouse by Hazel Lam (presented as part of Chinese Arts Now Festival) and Moongate Productions’ digital festival, #WeRNotVirus.
Khai is currently the project manager for Jane Chan’s F-Ing Good Provocation, a response to racism and injustices in dance towards Asian diaspora artists & producer for Hiccup Theatre, a theatre company making work for children, young people and their families.
Khai said:
“I’m so excited to jump into this role and I’m looking forward to working with a company that emphasises learning, nurturing and nourishing creatives. But most importantly, I’m excited to work in a space that is diverse and recognises the representation of Britain that we live in today. I know for sure that I’ll be in good company.”
Sarah Brigham (Artistic Director and Chief Executive, Derby Theatre) said:
“I am thrilled to welcome Khai to the post of IGC Producer. This phase of the programme is vital as we support freelancers emerge from the pandemic, and so we were looking for someone with tenacity, flair and focus. I’m certain that with Khai’s leadership, skills and energy, she will not only support artists, but she will allow artists to flourish. I’m also looking forward to her and the team supporting us and all the IGC partners to be there for freelancers at this most crucial time.
We await the results of our next funding application and if successful, we will recruit to this position a full time post later in the year.”
Khai’s role with In Good Company, based at Derby Theatre, will involve: liaising between partner venues across the Midlands, management of the comprehensive support programme for artists throughout the region, programming of scratch, development and work-in-progress showings, co-ordination of Departure Lounge and Check-In festivals, plus workshops focusing on both creative and business skills; management of the Artists’ Network, management of current commission and IGCs subsidised programme, co-ordination of In Good Company’s Bursary Scheme: The Artist Support Fund, and working with The Big House: Produce programme, pairing independent producers with independent artists.
Khai will take up the role later this month.